i124 ©  C. Atwater, Esq. on the Prairies, §c. 
examines them and the country towards Lake Erie, these hilis 
are much higher than any land between them and that lake. 
And from certain indications, (as already remarked,) had not 
the bed of the Niagara been deepened by the running of that 
mighty river, Lake Erie, as formerly, would empty itself into 
the Ohio by the Scioto and Miami; and the great northem 
lakes would once more discharge themselves into the Missis- 
sippi by the [llinois. Lake Ontario, from some cause, (possi- 
bly an earthquake, or the wearing away of its outlet, or both, 
is considerably lower than it was formerly; in that way the 
land along its banks, once covered by its waters, is drained, 
presenting appearances exactly similar to those seen in many 
of our prairies. 
Miscellaneous Remarks on the Prairies and Barrens relative t 
their Picturesque Features, and to Agriculture and Health, 
as affected by the peculiarities of these Tracts. 
To the traveller, who for several days traverses these prai- 
ries and barrens, their appearance is quite uninviting, and 
even disagreeable. He may travel from morning until night, 
and make good speed, but on looking around him, he fancies 
himself at the very spot whence he started. No pleasant 
variety of hill and dale, no rapidly running brook delights the 
eye, and no sound of woodland music strikes the ear ; but, in 
their stead, a dull uniformity of prospect “ spread out immense.” 
Excepting here and there a tree, or a slight elevation of ground, 
it is otherwise a dead level, covered with tall weeds and coarse 
grass. The sluggish rivulets, of a reddish colour, scarcelY 
move perceptibly, and their appearance is as uninviting to the 
eye, as their taste is disgusting to the palate. Such are the 
prairies and barrens of the west; but, in order to make ample 
amends for any deficiency, nature has made them exuberantly 
fertile. ‘The farmer who settles upon them, by raising cattle, 
becomes rich with little labour. He ditches those which af 
tvo moist for grain; he ploughs and fences them, and raises 
from seventy to one hundred bushels of maize, or Indian co™ 
to the acre, without ever hoeing it. The United States ows 
arte = 
